S3.07 An accidental invention: the story of genetic fingerprinting
Kat: Hello, and welcome to Genetics Unzipped - the Genetics Society podcast, with me, Dr Kat Arney. 35 years ago this month, a small team of scientists at the University of Leicester published a paper that changed the world. We take a look at the story of genetic fingerprinting, and some of the very first ways that this game-changing technique was put to work.
Just a quick message before we get started. As I’m recording this episode, the UK is grappling with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Schools are closed. Pubs and restaurants are shut, and it feels like we’re just waiting for the wave to hit. I’m hugely grateful to live in a country with a National Health Service, staffed by incredible, dedicated heroes, and I only hope it isn’t stretched too far past its breaking point.
It’s going to be a tough few months, and we need scientific and public health experts more than ever before. However, this podcast (and hopefully this podcaster and her team…) will be a coronavirus-free zone. We’re planning on sticking to our regular schedule and have a whole bunch of excellent shows lined up over the coming months.
Please do share a link to the website, geneticsunzipped.com and our extensive back catalogue with friends, family and school or university students who are looking for some science-minded escapades in the world of genes, genomes and DNA. We’re on Twitter @geneticsunzip The account is run by First Create The Media’s social media superstar Tabitha, so please do drop in for a chat, and help keep her spirits up while we’re all stuck at home staring at the news.
I know that our listeners are all over the world, so wherever you are, I hope that you and your loved ones stay safe and well. Look after each other, and wash your hands...
The accidental discovery of DNA fingerprinting
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Family fingerprints
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Catching a killer
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Thanks to Professor Turi King from the University of Leicester, for organising the event celebrating the anniversary of the first fingerprinting paper and for inviting me along. And thanks also to the people who shared their stories on the stage - Lynda Mann’s mother, Kath Eastwood; Barbara Ashworth, mother of Dawn; retired Chief Superintendent David Baker, who led the Enderby murder case; and Andrew’s brother, Dr David Gyimah.
That’s all for now. Next time, we’ll be reporting back from the recent Festival of Genomics, hearing from patients who have chosen to get involved in genomics research and why it’s so important.
You can find us on Twitter @geneticsunzip and please do take a moment to rate and review us on Apple podcasts - it really makes a difference and helps more people discover the show.
Genetics Unzipped is presented by Kat Arney and produced by First Create the Media for The Genetics Society - one of the oldest learned societies in the world dedicated to supporting and promoting the research, teaching and application of genetics. You can find out more and apply to join at genetics.org.uk
Our theme music was composed by Dan Pollard, and the logo was designed by James Mayall, and production was by Hannah Varrall. Thanks for listening, and until next time, goodbye.
Music and SFX all licensed from Epidemic Sound or Envato
